Music of the Multiethnic Minority: A Postnational Perspective

Abstract

This article examines implications of a postnational perspective on the music of minorities. As an example, the musical practices of a multiethnic hip-hop group in Norway are discussed with reference to musicological, linguistic and social studies. Lyrics and field observations present the complex image of a group of young people positioning themselves through music style, performance practices and language use. The article argues that a postnational perspective can provide a helpful approach to understanding the hybridized practices of minority youths engaged in globalized hip-hop culture, while it is also necessary to pay careful attention to the locally embedded discourses they take part in and contribute to shaping.